The Most Expensive Private Schools in Canada

Posted by Slice Staff on September 23, 2014, Updated on March 22, 2018

Regardless of their teaching philosophies–from rigorous academics to outdoor education–these Canadian private schools put the E in elite. Their basic tuition fees may make your jaw drop (nevermind the families with more than one child in attendance) but they’re really just the beginning. Other costs–from “personal service fees” to “wireless internet costs”--add up, making a degree from Harvard seem downright affordable in comparison.

Branksome Hall

Claim to fame: Founded in 1903, Branksome Hall has produced politicians, journalists and entrepreneurs such as twin sisters Jennifer and Fiona Lees, founders of Balmshell Cosmetics. The all-girls’ school has a sister campus in South Korea.

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BSS (Bishop Strachan School)

Claim to fame: BSS was founded in 1867 with the intention of educating girls to be leaders. Among the leading women who studied here was women’s rights activist Emily Murphy, the first female magistrate in the British Empire.

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Havergal College

Claim to fame: Founded in 1894, Havergal is considered one of Toronto’s top schools. Lois Lane – or rather, actress Margot Kidder – studied here, as did Rachel Blanchard and a host of pioneering women in politics, the arts and sports.

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LCS (Lakefield College School)

Claim to fame: Founded in 1879, LCS counts royalty among its alumni: Prince Andrew was an exchange student and King Felipe VI of Spain went to high school here. Will Arnett also spent a semester here but due to his troublemaking ways he was asked not to return.

UCC (Upper Canada College)

Claim to fame: Founded in 1829, UCC is Canada’s third oldest independent school. Included in the boys’ school’s long list of notable alumni are premiers, mayors, parliamentarians, business leaders and The Mummy actor Brendan Fraser.

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SAC (St. Andrew’s College)

Claim to fame: Since its founding in 1899, SAC has produced an impressive number of Old Boys who can write OC or CC after their names. Probably the school’s most famous former student, however, is Kiefer Sutherland.

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Appleby College

Claim to fame: Founded in 1911 and located on the shores of Lake Ontario, Appleby College was the first high school to be named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers. It’s also the only Canadian school to be a member of the G20 Schools.